DOST-SEI celebrates 3rd Project STAR International Conference

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The researchers and educators shined their brightest as they illuminate the pathway towards advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and improving teacher professional development through the 3rd Project Science Teacher Academy for the Regions (STAR) International Conference.

The Project STAR International Conference brings together researchers, public school teachers, educational trainers from various regions of the country, and international educators to foster comprehensive discussions on the current landscape and future trajectory of local and international STEM education.

Spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), the annual project consists of series of plenary presentations and parallel workshops, and features research papers and STAR stories of STEM innovations.

This year’s 3rd Project STAR International Conference, for example, features compelling stories of STEM innovations from “Engaging Generation Z Learners in the New Normal Through Thinktok,” “Development of an Improvised Portable Atomic Spectroscope for Teaching Element Fingerprinting,” and “Ethnobiology-based Instruction in Enhancing Cross-Cultural Competence in Biology” to plenary talks from international STEM leaders from Hong Kong, Singapore, London, and the USA.

Cover photo Caption:

DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo, in her opening remarks, welcomes foreign and local guests, and promises educators the Institute’s renewed and unwavering commitment to supporting science and mathematics education.

A plenitude of the brightest STARS, impactful researches, and endless opportunities

With the theme, “Project STAR @ 10: Celebrating Gains of the Past, Exploring Opportunities of the Future,” DOST-SEI Director Josette T. Biyo highlighted the project’s endeavor and fervent dedication in advancing science and mathematics education in the country with her talk titled, “Project STAR: Journey Across Time.”

She took the audience on a spirited tour of Project STAR’s breakthrough, reminiscing about its journey from its modest beginnings to modern excellence. Her presentation showcased the projects’ activities and accomplishments - including the various training and innovative teaching strategies it conducted, activities like Search for the Brightest STARS which aims to discover and recognize talented teachers from the training, and the collaborations established through its benchmarking activities in countries like Hongkong, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan - all of which, over the years, serve as the fundamental cornerstone to improve capacity and content knowledge to educators.

As she concluded her talk, she acknowledged and expressed her sincerest gratitude to the many people behind Project STAR’s success - such as the Department of Education, its regional partner institutions, and the teachers it has trained and produced.

Caption:

Dr. Sheryl Lyn Monterola, Director of the University of the Philippines National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development (UP NISMED) discussed a new way of looking at STEM as an entrepreneurial tool for national development, in her talk titled “21st Century Teaching: Adapting to a Fast-Changing World.”

The second plenary session was presented by the Director of the University of the Philippines National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development (UP NISMED), Dr. Sheryl Lyn C. Monterola. Her talk titled, “21st Century Teaching: Adapting to a Fast-Changing World” alluded to the event’s theme of exploring opportunities of the future, as she delivered a comprehensive discussion on a new way of looking at STEM as a proxy for the skills and tools that equip learners the right mindset to contribute to national development.

According to Dr. Monterola, there are three key points on how to leverage the use of STEM in teaching: (1) recognizing numeracy as an essential skill in the workplace, (2) responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in STEM education, and (3) importance of STEM teachers’ growth mindset. Besides these, she also mentioned modern teaching/learning aids such as Copilot, Perplexity, and summarize.tech which could help educators in lesson planning and context building.

To complete the roster of plenary sessions for day one, Prof. Cecilia K.Y. Chan, Founding Director of the Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre, and a Professor of the Faculty of Education at the University of Hong Kong, facilitated the discussion on “Transitioning Perspectives: Shifting from ‘Assessment of’ to ‘Assessment for’” via Zoom. In her talk, Prof. Chan discussed the dynamic nature of assessment in revolutionizing teaching methods to remain agile and responsive to future shifts in the educational landscape.

She also shared her extensive ideas on the different aspects of assessment and the concept of holistic competence, emphasizing that to achieve a balance of the two, teachers must focus on and make use of the wide range of assessments and integrate different strategies for assessing student learning.

Before day one ended, thirty parallel paper presentations on Action Researches, Assessment and Innovations, Instructional Materials, Teaching and Learning Innovations, and Wellness and Action Researches were presented allowing teachers all over the country to showcase their work in STEM education. Furthermore, it opened avenues to gain valuable insights, learn about the latest advancements in STEM education, and interact with their fellow educators.

Days two and three of the conference were jam-packed with thought-provoking plenary sessions facilitated by Dr. Tang Wee Teo, Associate Professor at the National Institute of Education of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, on “Impacting STEM Education in Asia: Experiences from meriSTEM;” Prof. Rosemary Luckin, Faculty at the University College London, and Founder of Educate Ventures Research Ltd. in London, on “Artificial Intelligence, Adaptive (Machine Learning), and the Future of Education;” Mr. Bryan Goodwin, Chief Executive Officer at McREL International, on “Brain Science and Cognition;” and Dr. Jayeel S. Cornelio, Professor of Development Studies Program at the Ateneo de Manila University, and Vice Chair of the Social Sciences Division at the National Research Council of the Philippines, on “The State of Filipino Youth: Harnessing Opportunities for Education.”

DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr. also graced the event and extended his congratulations to the STAR member schools, partners in education, and participants. He reiterated and encouraged Project STAR’s mission to capacitate STEM teachers all over the country through activities that catalyze professional development such as training, recognition, awards, and mentorship.

“This is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements in science education - to live the spirit of inquiry, creativity, problem-solving, and life-long learning; and to bring STEM out of the classroom and into the community, and help people appreciate the significance of STEM in their everyday lives.”

This year’s Project STAR International Conference was held on August 23-25, 2023, at the New World Makati Hotel, Makati City.

Project STAR is a cluster of capacity building activities aimed to improve the quality of teaching of STEM teachers all over the country - implementing innovative STEM trainings and activities that catalyze professional development for teachers such as awards, recognition, mentorship, and research conducts.

Caption:

Parallel Sessions on Action Researches, Assessment and Innovations, Instructional Materials, Teaching and Learning Innovations, and Wellness and Action Researches were held to give STAR educators a diversified offering of knowledge and experiences in the different aspects of teaching and learning.